Method and system for offline data access on computer systems

摘要

While a computer system is in operational state, a network interface controller (NIC) in the computer system may be operable to copy select data to a secondary storage device. The secondary storage device is accessible by the NIC while the computer system is in an offline state or not operational. The NIC may be operable to provide remote accessibility to the copy of the select data stored in the secondary storage device over a network while the computer system is in the offline state and the NIC is supplied with electrical power and active. While the computer system is in the operational state and whenever a change is made to the select data, the NIC is operable to replace the copy of the select data stored in the secondary storage device with an updated copy of the select data based on the change.

主权项

1. A method for data communication, the method comprising:
selecting data by a network interface controller (NIC); copying said selected data, by a processor that is powered on for an operational state, from a storage device to a secondary storage device coupled to a computer device, said NIC, said processor, and said storage device being included within said computer device; accessing said secondary storage device by said NIC while said processor is powered off for an offline state, said storage device being inaccessible by said NIC when said processor is in said offline state, wherein said secondary storage device is remote with respect to said NIC; and providing, via said NIC, remote accessibility to said copied selected data stored in said secondary storage device while said processor is in said offline state and while said NIC is powered on for an active state.